The advent of the standalone DVD Recorder has surely placed the last nail in the VHS format coffin. Now you can record from your television, video camera or compatible media device direct to DVD format without lengthy encoding that would take hours on a PC.

There is a lot going for the DVD format at present, especially in comparison to VHS. For a start, your storage media is very inexpensive and perhaps a quarter of the cost of a quality VHS tape per unit. Secondly, DVDs require much less space to store. And then there is the fact that you can store various types of data on a DVD, not just video. And the list goes on... With prices of DVD Recorders starting to reduce rapidly, they are fast becoming a "household" item, replacing that defunct VHS recorder/player, and even the home stereo or CD player.

The Samsung DVD-R121 DVD Recorder
DVD Recorders come in many guises, some offering features that others do not. Ultimately, in terms of features, it is generally a case of "you get what you pay for".

There are two primary types of DVD Recorder. Ones that feature an inbuilt hard drive, and one's that do not. The hard drive variety require no DVD disks to store video or data, however, they can also record to a DVD disc as required. The type with no hard drive must use a DVD disc to record/store data. The hard drive variants generally cost much more, at least double the price of a non-hard drive model, but depending on your needs, you might not need a hard drive-equipped unit.

The Samsung DVD-R121 does not feature an inbuilt hard drive, so its retail price is more on the budget end of the range, therefore making it ideal for those looking for a cost-effective unit that handles your basic recording tasks. Let's take a closer look at this model's features...

Recording Media & Options
The DVD-R121 writes to DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW media. It does not write to or read DVD+R or DVD+RW media. Given that DVD-R and DVD-RW media is much more commonly used than +R/+RW, this isn't really a problem. The only problem you will encounter is if you have a friend that has recorded discs with the +R/+RW format. The DVD-R121 unit will play all your commercial and retail DVDs without any problem. I won't go into a discussion of the differences between +R/-R media etc, there is plenty of information about this already on the internet.

A disc must be present in the tray for recording to take place, because the unit has no internal hard disc drive. Depending on whether your DVD-RAM or DVD-R media is single or dual layered depends on how much media can be placed on that disc. Because dual-layered discs can hold twice as much content (9.4Gb compared to 4.7Gb), they offer more flexibility, although they are more expensive to buy, and harder to find.

The Samsung DVD-R121 Recorder allows you to record at a number of video quality settings. The higher quality setting allows less media to be written to the disc. On a standard 4.7Gb DVD disc, the following amount of video can be recorded, according to the quality mode selected:

• XP (high quality mode): 1 Hr
• SP (short play, standard quality mode): 2 Hrs
• LP (long play, long recording mode): 4Hrs
• EP (extended play, extended recording mode): 6 Hrs

On a dual-layered disc, the above figures can be doubled. Note also that you can have multiple recordings on one disc, each using a different recording mode, so the disc doesn't have to be "formatted" for a particular recording quality mode. XP and SP modes deliver very good image reproduction. Only when you go to LP mode does the image quality start to reduce to somewhere near VHS quality, but it is still a lot better than VHS in my opinion. EP mode would be a match for VHS quality. Video is recorded in MPEG2 format with a variable bit rate. This means it can save space on the disc when the media being recorded does not require a high recording bit rate, for example, where part of a scene is audibly quiet or visually static. This basically helps conserve disc space and extend available recording time on the disc. Audio is recorded in Dolby Digital quality, but only 2-channel (left and right).

Naturally, you can record your favorite TV programs once you have everything hooked up. However, you can also record from other external equipment that can be connected to the DVD recorder. This includes Camcorders, set top boxes, VCRs, or even another DVD player. On the front of the unit there are additional connections for Video-In and 2-channel audio in, as well as a IEEE1394 DV input, all concealed behind a flip down cover that is easy to access.

I should note now that the manual provided with the DVD-R121 is very good and shows you how to connect everything up, as well as explains how to operate the unit and make use of all its features.

The unit features One-Touch Recording (just press the record button to start recording), as well as programmed timer recording, and G-Code automatic recording. Note also that for timer recording, the unit must be in 'standby mode' to work. An explanation of those modes (particularly G-Code) can also be found online. It does make for interesting reading though and well worth looking up.

Playback
As mentioned above, the DVD-R121 will play all your commercial DVD movies and discs without any major drama. Each unit is region encoded however, and you should check the box or enquire as to which region the recorder is coded for. Your DVD discs need to match this region code (or be region free) to play back in the unit. If you have bought your DVD movies in the same country as you buy the DVD Recorder, you shouldn't have any problems, but do double check first.

The complete list of playable media is as follows:

- DVD-RAM/-R/-RW (DVD-RW: Video / VR Mode playback)
- DVD-Video
- CD-R/-RW
- MP3, JPEG, MPEG4 Playback

Note in particular the MP3 format which means you can play back discs containing MP3 files. MP3 is an extremely popular music format at present, and along with the CD playback offered, it means your DVD recorder can also act just like a music stereo system. In these modes, song titles are displayed via a menu system on screen and you use the remote control functions to switch between audio tracks. You will need some speakers attached to make the most of the audio options.

JPEG format means you can display photos or images on a burnt CD or DVD directly on your television. This is great if you want to relive some memories or share photos with a group of people. It replaces the faithful old slide projectors of years gone by and is a nice addition to the unit. MPEG4 and DivX playback are a compressed video/audio format that can also be played back on the DVD-R121 unit. So even with this basic model DVD-Recorder, it can replace three or four whole systems (VCR, Audio System, Projector etc).

Note that the unit cannot play these media types: Video CD/SVCD/CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/DVD+RW and some non-standard DVD discs (that would be hard to get anyway).

For the techies, or just if you wish to know, the following playback specs are what you can expect from the R121 unit:

- Progressive Scan (provides higher-quality, flicker-free video)
- Video DAC: 10 bit / 54 MHz
- Audio DAC: 24 bit / 96 KHz
-Dolby, DTS Digital Output

The DVD-R121 does not have an onboard Dolby 5.1 surround sound decoder, so your speaker system must have its own 5.1 decoder (or AV-Receiver/Amplifier etc) to separate the sound channels for the speakers. You can achieve Dolby quality sound from the recorder, but only 2-channel via the standard RCA leads etc. For watching DVD movies, you really do need 5.1 channel capabilities for the best audio experience, so ensure you have the gear before you commit to purchase. Dolby Digital output to a 5.1 decoder can be way of Coaxial or Optical connection from the rear of the unit.

In Use
If you are looking for a basic first DVD-Recorder, or you cannot afford a hard-drive enabled unit, the Samsung R121 is a reasonably good choice. The onscreen menu system is easy to navigate. It offers all your programming features and also allows you to go back and edit recorded video to cut out adverts or trim parts out for better playback. The auto chaptering features writes a marker and chapter at the start of each recording session so it is easy to find when you play back the disc. No more fast forwarding and rewinding on the VCR! The menus will tell you exactly how much recording time is left on the disc currently in the system, and for each recording mode, which is handy to ensure your program will fit, and it even sets an automatic mode if disc space is low to ensure you do not miss out on recording to the end of your chosen program.

One thing I do find a little troublesome at times is the remote control, and the R121's ability to detect a remote function. It is difficult to get the remote to work if you are anywhere outside of a 45 degree radius from the sensor on the front of the recorder. You have to be somewhat in front of the unit to guarantee a remote signal will be received by the recorder. It can be frustrating, but as long as you are aware of it, it generally isn't too much of a problem, but worth noting. Not everything is perfect of course.

I like the ability to record shows direct to DVD in excellent quality, and then go back and edit and rename those recorded segments, allowing faster access to them later on. The controls on the unit itself are minimal, but still better than other DVD players I have used before. You can actually play a DVD without having to use the remote control at all in most cases, which is especially useful if that remote gets lost temporarily, as we all know that happens from time to time. It can take a while for certain functions to initiate on the unit too. Opening the disc tray can be a 10 second wait for some reason, but recording buttons seem to be much faster, which is good.

Let me add in concluding that there are numerous more features to this unit that I have not covered. I have only covered the major features of the unit that are of particular note. These additional extras are illustrated in the manual and most are small features that make the use of the DVD-R121 unit easier and allow recorded video to be manipulated for user convenience.

For the retail price of AUD$399 (Australian Dollars) (although it can be had in most stores for AUD$299 or less now - September 2005), the Samsung DVD-R121 DVD Recorder offers the next step up in recording technology from VHS, and at a price that should be affordable to most. When that old VCR kicks the bucket, definitely go out and find a DVD Recorder like the R121, unless you want to go higher up the technology and price scale for something with a hard drive inbuilt.

In concluding, this unit seems solid (made in Korea) and does everything the marketing blurb says it will do.

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